Little bit of this, little bit of that

The GIST: Basketball is a game of runs, as evidenced by yesterday’s WNBA semifinal Game 1s. While we not-so-patiently wait for Wednesday’s Game 2s in these best-of-five series, let’s discuss which string of buckets reigned supreme.

💭 Atlanta Dream use dominant third quarter to top NY Liberty 92–82: Down three at halftime and without their leading scorer Allisha Gray (more on that later), the Dream did what they do best — stockpile steals. Atlanta scored a playoff record 32 points on 21 Liberty giveaways, highlighted by a defense-driven 20–2 third-quarter run.

• And they did all that after Gray dislocated her finger. Though her Game 2 status is TBD, it’s not a full blown nightmare for Atlanta: Jordin Canada and DeWanna Bonner were spectacular in her absence, combining for 48 points to pace Atlanta’s attack.

💜 Golden State Valkyries stifle Las Vegas Aces in 71–60 Game 1 win: Valks linchpin Gabby Williams authored another playoff masterpiece, but defense was the name of this game. Golden State held Vegas to a season-low 60 points, limiting Jackie Young to four field goals and tormenting the inimitable A’ja Wilson (24 points) with double and triple teams all game long.

• The Valkyries love to play with pace — and that’s not ideal for the shorthanded Aces, who were already down two injured starters (Steph Talbot and Nalyssa Smith) before sharpshooter Jewell Loyd left the game in the third quarter with a knee injury. Oof.

🏒 Whether you’re a longtime fan or newly invested thanks to a certain player with beautiful freckles and a weak backhand — adding some spice this hockey season is as easy as one, two, three with POOLS.

• 1️⃣ Select the NHL POOLS card.

• 2️⃣ Make your picks across multiple matchups.

• 3️⃣ Tune in and see if you have the golden touch.

💸 If you play your picks right, you could take home a share of the prize pool. Beauty, eh?

The GIST: Fourth-quarter comebacks, catch-of-the-year candidates, and the NY Jets’ first defensive interception in 637 days — Week 4 had a little bit of everything. Ah, Sundays.

❤️‍🩹 More high-profile injuries: The 2026 season was already the most injured for NFL quarterbacks (QBs) entering Week 4, and then Baltimore Ravens signal caller Lamar Jackson injured his ankle in yesterday’s 24–18 win over the Tennessee Titans. Say it ain’t so.

• And it’s not just the QB room. Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver (WR) Ja’Marr Chase is in concussion protocol, Kansas City Chiefs WR Tyquan Thornton’s ankle is dislocated, and Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley has a hamstring injury.

🔄 Turnovers prove to be game changers: We told you so. Multiple games were decided by costly interceptions (INT) and fumbles. These were the most impactful giveaways:

• 1️⃣ Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen threw a late-game INT vs. the New England Patriots, halting the Bills’ potential comeback in a 29–26 divisional loss. Another win for the Etsy witches.

• 2️⃣ The Las Vegas Raiders were this close to upsetting KC…until a fourth-quarter fumble gave the ball (and eventually the game) back to inevitable QB Patrick Mahomes.

• 3️⃣ Bengals QB Joe Burrow had two INTs in Cincy’s 22–17 L to the Jacksonville Jaguars, one in the Red Zone and one that gifted the Jags seven points. No bueno.

📣 The San Francisco 49ers offensive line is historically good: The last team to start a season sack‑free through four games? The 2005 Indianapolis Colts. Add the Niners to that exclusive club — they’re just the fourth team since 1990 to pull it off. It’s a good time to be QB Brock Purdy.

🥅 Our buds at PROLINE make it easy to put your hockey instincts to work with POOLS.

• ❤️ Gut Check: Have a hunch as to which teams will take the W tonight? Call the winners, with betting cards starting at just $5.

• 🧠 Game Plan: Put your puck knowledge to the test by picking winners across multiple games. You got this.

The GIST: A weekend of best-of-five MLB Divisional Series matchups later, and one team is already one win away from the Championship Series. From yesterday’s National League (NL) Game 2s to today’s American League (AL) Game 2s, let’s go around the horn.

🫨 Milwaukee Brewers up 2-0 after walk-off 4–3 win over San Diego Padres: This is what Jackson Chourio does. The Brewers left fielder was oh-so clutch yesterday, recording a walk-off single against the Padres’ lockdown closer Mason Miller. The series shifts to San Diego for tomorrow’s 9:30 p.m. ET Game 3 — time will tell if the Dads can rally from this brutal defeat.

🍑 Atlanta Braves bullpen quiets LA Dodgers in 3–2 victory: This series is all tied up after Atlanta used six different hurlers to counter the hot Dodgers bats last night. Former 7-Eleven employee Ray Kerr started things strong, striking out four in 2.2 innings. Next up, a real treat: Atlanta ace Chris Sale vs. LA star Yoshinobu Yamamoto tomorrow at 6 p.m. ET. Batter up.

🙏 Chicago White Sox vs. 🛡️ Cleveland Guardians — Today at 5 p.m. ET: The White Sox are livin’ on a prayer, staying undefeated in the postseason with their 3–0 Game 1 win. Chicago pitcher Sean “no girl” Burke will feature heavily in Game 2, hoping to quiet an outfielder Chase DeLauter–led Cleveland offense that’s looking to erupt.

🍎 NY Yankees vs. 🌴 Tampa Bay Rays — Tonight at 8 p.m. ET: Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen just missed out on a no-hitter, but he did lift Tampa Bay to the series lead, striking out 10 Yankees in Saturday’s 1-0 Game 1 win. Now, it’s NY’s turn to toss their ace, with AL Cy Young frontrunner Cam Schlittler on the mound tonight. Must-see TV.

🏒 Find yourself constantly saying “I called it” after a big game? You have some picking to do. Make your picks before puck drop, and see if your calls earn you a share of the prize pot with POOLS.